More than 20 individuals and a media company that has been instrumental in raising funds for pediatric programs and services have been recognized by Upstate Medical University for distinguished service at the university’s annual Fall Faculty Convocation, held Sept. 14 in the Medical Alumni Auditorium in Weiskotten Hall.

Awards recognized individuals in numerous categories, from Professional Service and Voluntary Faculty to Research and Diversity. Two awards honored a company and individual for Philanthropic Service.

Gregory L.. Eastwood, MD, who served as president of Upstate from 1993-2006 and then as interim president from 2013-2016 received the President's Award for Distinguished Service. Eastwood most recently served as a faculty member in Bioethics and Humanities.

Four faculty members were named SUNY Distinguished Professors. They are:

Stephen A. Albanese, MD, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor

Xin Jie Chen, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor

Thomas L. Schwartz, MD, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor

Ma-Li Wong, MD, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor

A complete listing of other winners is below:

The President’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropic Service, Individual, Douglas Rosenthal, IMT Information Systems.

Rosenthal has worked at Upstate Medical University for 22 years and has been engaged with philanthropy for nearly that long, conducting piggy bank campaigns, kickball, bowling, volleyball and most recently, curling tournaments. Proceeds have supported the Joslin Diabetes Education & Program Fund, Kids With Cancer Fund, Upstate Cancer Center annual fund and capital campaign, and Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital capital campaign.

The President’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropic Service, Corporate, iHeart Media.

The Upstate Foundation’s partnership with iHeartMedia began 35 years ago with its support of pediatric programs and services. While the company has contributed more than $275,000 to various initiatives through the years, it is responsible for raising more than $3 million the past two decades, primarily through an event called Radiothon for Kids and more recently Call in for Cancer. Through the years, iHeart Media has supported the Children’s Miracle Network, Pediatric Child Abuse Fund, Central New York Region Skins Game, Upstate Cancer Center and everyday needs for pediatric patients at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. More recently, proceeds from Radiothon for Kids have been a major source of revenue for the annual fund and capital campaigns for the Children’s Hospital, Dr. William J. Waters Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, and Golisano Center for Special Needs.

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities:  

Wei-Dong Yao, PhD, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Neuroscience and Physiology 

Ma-Li-Wong, MD, PhD, Distinguished Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Neuroscience and Physiology 

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Library Science:

Heidi J. Webb, MSLIS

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service: 

Robert Cooney, MD, Surgery

President’s Award for Excellence and Leadership in Research:

Stephen J. Glatt, PhD, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Neuroscience and Physiology; Public Health and Preventive Medicine.

President’s Award for Excellence in Clinical or Translational Research by a Young Investigator:

Aamer Imdad, MBBS, MPH, Pediatrics.

President’s Award for Advancement of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: 

Sheila D. Singleton-Best, MPH, HSMP, PA-C, Physician Assistant Studies 

President’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service: 

Matthew Mahoney, Information Management and Technology 

President's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service:

Robert J. Gregory, MD, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Christopher T. Tanski, MD, Emergency Medicine 

President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching:

Zafar J. Bajwa, MD, Radiology, Binghamton Campus

Aaron M. Glass, PhD, MB (ASCP), Clinical Laboratory Science, Microbiology and Immunology 

A. Rita Ramamurthy, MD, Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Family Medicine 

Jessica L. Henty-Ridilla, PhD, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

President’s Award for Excellence in Voluntary Faculty: 

Derek Yuan, MD, Neurology, Binghamton Campus

David M. Landsberg, MD, FF/EMT-P, FCCP, Medicine and Emergency Medicine 

Robert P. Reeves, MD, RMED and Family Medicine  

Jordan K. Holliday, MD, Emergency Medicine 

Anthony S. Kurec, MS, MASCPO, MLT (ASCP), H, DLM

New members selected into the Academy of Upstate Educators are:

Aaron M. Glass, PhD, MB (ASCP), Clinical Laboratory Science, Microbiology and Immunology

Kathryn E. Holliday, DNP, CPNP, CNE, College of Nursing                 

Dana M. Mihaila, MD, PhD, Cell and Developmental Biology, Neurology and Physical Therapy

Jennifer T. Vaughn, DNP, RN, NE-BC, College of Nursing

The mission of the Academy of Upstate Educators is to promote innovation and excellence in education at Upstate. Membership provides recognition to skilled and exemplary educators.

 

Gregory L. Eastwood, MD, former president and faculty member receives the President's Award for Distinguished Service from President Mantosh Dewan, MD, and Upstate Faculty Council Chair Kerry Greene-Donnelly, MBA, RT